Monday, October 29, 2012

CAIR ACTION ALERT #683

Eid Prayer Leaders Urged to Encourage Voter Turnout

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/25/2012) -- CAIR is calling on imams and khateebs nationwide to use the upcoming prayers on Eid Al-Adha to urge every eligible Muslim voter to go to the polls on November 6 and vote for the candidate of their choice.

CAIR reminds imams and khateebs that mosques that are registered 501c3 tax-exempt organizations cannot explicitly or implicitly endorse or oppose candidates for public office. However, this does not stop religious leaders from urging Muslims to vote and otherwise participate in American public life.

"Voting is the civic duty of every eligible United States citizen and is an important exercise of our constitutional rights," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "Muslims' votes could be a deciding factor in this year's election. Islamophobes wish to marginalize Muslims and deprive our community of its voice. Voting is a clear message that we will not be pushed aside."

In a similar effort, the American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT) has chosen Friday, November 2 as "National Voter Reminder Day," to encourage mosques and Muslim organizations to maximize Muslim voter turnout for the election.

CAIR recently released a poll of registered Muslim voters. The poll, conducted by an independent research firm, indicates that 91 percent of Muslim voters plan to go to the polls on November 6. The survey indicates that 25 percent of American Muslim registered voters are still undecided about who to vote for in this year's presidential election.

As part of its non-partisan election activities, CAIR has distributed "MVP - Muslim Voter Power" get-out-the-vote posters and lawn signs designed for mosques and other Islamic institutions nationwide. CAIR also has a national list of registered Muslims voters and CAIR chapters around the nation are currently conducting non-partisan efforts to turn out those voters in November.

In addition, CAIR is providing the American Muslim community with a number of items designed to maximize voter participation:

CAIR partnered with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) as part of its efforts to empower minority voters. CAIR is encouraging supporters to join ADC's voter protection unit.

CAIR provides the community with voter guides that give information on presidential candidates, as well as data on times polls are open and what to take with you when you vote.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.